Jaguars sign Jared Bartlett, release Ben Patterson

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed linebacker Jared Bartlett on Sunday, making a corresponding move by releasing wide receiver Ben Patterson to remain within roster limits.

The transaction adds a depth option at linebacker while removing a young receiver from the current roster as the club continues to manage its personnel following the April draft cycle.

Jacksonville adds a linebacker after Bartlett’s Panthers exit

Bartlett most recently spent a short period with Bartlett most recently spent a short period with the Carolina Panthers. Officials said he was waived last month after first joining the team on a future contract in January. An undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, Bartlett arrives in Jacksonville with limited NFL regular-season experience but a résumé that includes time in multiple organizations. His pro stops have included the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, and Arizona Cardinals, according to the team’s transaction details.

Special teams role stands out in Bartlett’s game history Bartlett’s only regular-season action came with Arizona Bartlett’s only regular-season action came with Arizona, where he appeared in two games. In those appearances, he played 35 snaps, all of them on special teams. He later finished the 2023 season on the Cardinals’ practice squad, a placement that underscores how his value to date has been tied primarily to depth and special teams contributions. The Jaguars are expected to work Bartlett into special teams rotations as they prepare for preseason requirements, officials said. Patterson departs after joining as an undrafted rookie Patterson, who entered the organization as an undrafted rookie earlier this year, was released to create room for Bartlett. The move takes effect immediately, and he is no longer on the roster.

The change reflects how teams often adjust the back end of the roster in the weeks after the draft, using signings and releases to test depth, align position needs, and account for special teams workload during preseason preparation.

For Jacksonville, the immediate outcome is a linebacker addition with demonstrated special teams usage and a wide receiver spot opened by the departure of a first-year player.

Implications

Country Impact: For the Jaguars, the move is a routine roster management step in the United States NFL calendar after the April draft cycle. It signals an emphasis on maintaining depth while keeping within roster limits ahead of preseason preparations.

Industry Impact: The transaction highlights how undrafted and fringe-roster players can move quickly between teams as clubs reshape depth charts. Bartlett’s special teams-only usage to date suggests he is being evaluated primarily for those units, while Patterson’s release shows the volatility for undrafted rookies.

Market Impact: There is no direct market-moving information in the transaction itself, but it reflects standard personnel churn that can influence preseason roster battles. Jacksonville’s decision indicates a near-term preference for linebacker and special teams coverage depth within existing roster constraints.